Nationals Trade Stanton Again

For the second straight year, the Nationals have traded Mike Stanton. After dealing him to the Red Sox last September for a couple of lower-level prospects, Washington got a considerably higher return on Friday. The Nationals shipped Stanton to the Giants for Class A righthander Shairon Martis.

Stanton, 39, ranks third all-time with 1,083 career appearances. He pitched in 56 games this year for Washington, going 3-5, 4.47. In 44 innings, he had a 30-21 K-BB ratio, while opponents have hit .278 with one homer against him. Used as a lefty specialist these days, Stanton has been equally effective against both lefthanders and righthanders this season, though righties torched him in 2005. His best pitch is his slider, and he also throws a fastball that sits around 90 mph and a splitter. Currently on a one-year, $1 million contract, he’ll be a free agent after the season. Stanton has a career record of 63-58, 3.82 with 76 saves.

Martis, 19, made headlines at the World Baseball Classic when he pitched a no-hitter for the Netherlands against Panama. Signed out of Curacao in 2004, he has gone 6-4, 3.64 in 15 starts this season at low Class A Augusta. He has a 66-21 K-BB ratio, .257 opponent average and three homers allowed in 77 innings. Though Martis still needs a lot of refinement, trading a 39-year-old reliever for an arm of his quality was a no-brainer for the Nationals. He has a 91-95 mph fastball and has made strides with his curveball this year.